Peace in Colombia

50-yr. war ‘over’

Colombia's government and Marxist FARC rebels reached a final peace deal on Wednesday to end a fivedecade war that once took the resource-rich country to the brink of collapse.

Under the historic agreement to end one of the world's longest conflicts, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, known as FARC, will lay down arms and reintegrate into civilian life.

More than 220,000 people were killed in the conflict, tens of thousands disappeared and millions fled their homes because of the violence.

The accord, reached after almost four years of talks in Cuba, sparked celebrations in the Colombian capital of Bogota. It will now go to a plebiscite vote on Oct. 2.

“Today I can say from the bottom of my heart that I have fulfilled the mandate that you gave me,” said President Juan Manuel Santos, 65, who was re-elected in 2014 on the promise of a peace deal.

“Colombians, the decision is in your hands. Never before have our citizens had within their reach the key to their future,” he said in a televised address.

Most opinion polls suggest Colombians will back the deal, but Santos, who has staked his legacy on peace, will face fierce opposition from powerful factions that believe the only solution is to finish off FARC militarily.

The deal is opposed by two former Colombian presidents, including popular right-wing hard-liner Alvaro Uribe.

Under the deal, FARC would have nonvoting representation in the Colombian Congress until 2018 and can participate in elections.

From then on, the 7,000 former rebels will have to win votes like any other political party, Santos said.

“We have won the most beautiful of all battles,” lead FARC negotiator Ivan Marquez said following the announcement. “The war with arms is over; now begins the debate of ideas.”

The two sides had signed a cease-fire in late June.

President Obama spoke by phone with Santos on Wednesday to congratulate him on the deal, the White House said.